Distinguished

/ Su Leslie
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Hisan, an adolescent karearea or native falcon, seen at Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust, Rotorua, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2017

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Hisan, adolescent karearea, or NZ native falcon. Image: Su Leslie 2017

Karearea, like most native birds in Aotearoa New Zealand, evolved in the absence of humans and other mammal predators. These days, their survival is threatened by widespread habitat loss and degradation, cats, stoats and possums which eat their eggs, deliberate killings by humans, and electrocution, which happens when they land on un-insulated power lines.

Like so many species, the very survival of these beautiful, distinguished-looking birds is threatened, despite the work of several organisations dedicated to birds of prey preservation.

Posted to the Ragtag Daily Prompt | distinguished

References:

Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust

Department of Conservation: NZ Falcon/Karearea

31 thoughts on “Distinguished”

    • The karearea nest on the ground, which makes it easy for cats to get the chicks, and for possums and stoats to eat the eggs. It’s a problem with outer native wildlife, which evolved in a largely predator-free environment.
      You’re right about the adult birds being able to protect themselves though. Apparently they are ferocious, even by falcon standards.
      We all lined up at the centre to put on a leather gauntlet and hold our hand out with a bit of meat in it for Hasan to take; I was terrified!!

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  11. Gorgeous photos Su. Watching TV quizz programmes I am astonished at the ignorance of people (all generations, but especially the younger ones – under 40) about nature, animals, geography and plant life – I have to wonder if many of them would even notice the absence of a lot of our wild life and flora given they appear not to know anything about it! I am not at all convinced that the younger generation will be any better at looking after the planet. And I am not convinced it is ‘our’ fault. Though we may have naively believed that governments and scientists knew what they are doing when in fact they didn’t. For example, I bought a diesel car 10 years ago having being told that they were more fuel efficient and better for the environment so I was doing a GOOD thing. Now I am told they are not.
    Sorry for the rant. I just despair at times.

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    • Don’t apologise; I feel much the same way. I vacillate between hope and despair. I know a few young people who are passionately and intelligently committed to bringing about change, and others (like my son sadly) who have decided there is no future, so bugger it. In his case, I think it’s at least partly laziness; an excuse to take the easy way and not think too much.
      I think you are right; most people aren’t able to evaluate the technical aspects of technologies or policies so we have to rely on “experts”, usually via the mass media. Between vested interests and the over-riding media requirements to turn a profit, we’re fed one issue after another — usually in isolation — eating fat is bad; no, fat is good, carbs are bad; drive a diesel, no, an EV …. it goes on and I don’t know how to change that. And, as you say, if people aware increasingly ignorant of the physical world around us — it’s not looking good.

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